Chapter 116 Hiding from Each Other

"It's too late."

The old doctor looked at Gu Xixi with a pair of hollow eyes, "Adding the last rare medicine will require re-adjusting the proportions of the entire prescription, and adding the time required for preparation."

"You only have one chance at most."

He handed over a piece of medicine paper with only three words on it.

"Firefly Bone Flower?" Gu Xixi was puzzled. "Why have I never heard of this medicinal herb?"

The old doctor said, "Don't mention you. I have only seen the description of this flower in my master's notes in my life."

In addition to the name, the medicine note also has a hand-drawn picture of the plant.

It can be seen that the old doctor was well prepared.

The old doctor said solemnly, "I have been hesitating whether to tell you."

"First, this flower can only be encountered by chance, not sought after."

"Secondly, the Firefly Bone Flower is just the last few options I had. I had to choose the most promising one out of necessity. Even if you find it by chance, you may not succeed."

He sighed heavily, "I don't know, which is better for you, to have no hope from the beginning, or to hold on to illusory hope and end up disappointed?"

Gu Xixi folded up the medicine note and put it into her sleeve solemnly, "Thank you, Master, for telling me."

"Rather than sit and wait for failure, I prefer to take the initiative and work hard until the last moment."

She paused, then smiled, "Just don't regret it."

Gu Xixi went to Qingtian County that day. She sent two letters, one to Yunling County and the other to the Northwest Military Camp.

She also ran around all the pharmacies in Qingtian County, and finally went to find Madam Meng.

Mrs. Meng did not ask Gu Xixi what the purpose of the medicine was, but directly promised to use her connections to help keep an eye out.

"Don't worry, I will send a servant to your house to inform you as soon as I have any news."

Gu Xixi bowed sincerely, "Thank you."

"But please keep this a secret, Sister Meng. Don't let anyone know that I'm looking for the medicine."

After the incident where the previous county magistrate ambushed him, Mu Nanzhao had already been suspected.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nanzhao had already been tied together.

If someone with ulterior motives inferred from her purchase of medicinal herbs that someone was poisoned, or even poisoned by something, then Mu Nanzhao's true identity would be revealed.

Madam Meng nodded and said seriously, "Don't worry."

After dinner, Gu Xixi stayed in her room and busy herself for a while as usual.

When she stopped and reached for the water, she found the kettle was empty, so she got up and walked out.

Just then, Mu Nanzhao also came out carrying a kettle, and the two met at the kitchen door.

Gu Xixi asked with a smile, "Why aren't you asleep yet so late?"

Mu Nanzhao smiled slightly, "You haven't slept either."

The two of them entered the kitchen one after another. The fire had been put out. There was a pot of water on the small stove. It was boiled by Aunt Zhang before going to bed. It was still warm.

Gu Xixi picked up the jar, poured it into Mu Nanzhao's kettle first, and then filled her own bottle.

"It's so late, drink less. Be careful not to get up frequently at night and affect your sleep."

"Frequently getting up at night?" Mu Nanzhao's face was full of disdain.

"I've never experienced anything like this since I can remember."

Gu Xixi turned around and glared at him speechlessly.

Why does it make sense to associate waking up at night with the issue of male dignity?

It was too cold. She picked up her water bottle and was about to leave, but Mu Nanzhao suddenly blurted out, "I want to eat toasted buns."

Gu Xixi looked at him as if she didn't recognize him. "It's almost midnight now."

"How can you say such a thing as a matter of course?"

Mu Nanzhao said calmly, "I'm hungry."

Gu Xixi nodded. Very good. Now she is more confident than before.

After a cup of tea, the small stove was lit again.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nanzhao each sat on a small stool next to them.

Two white steamed buns were baked on the edge of the stove.

Gu Xixi muttered softly, "Why do you become more willful as you get older?"

Mu Nanzhao held a note between his fingers and handed it to Gu Xixi without even looking at it.

"You promised to help me do something, and this steamed bun is your fulfillment of your promise."

Gu Xixi was stunned and her heart sank suddenly.

He knew that he didn't have much time left, so he redeemed the code early?

Thinking of this, Gu Xixi felt inexplicably sad.

She pushed Mu Nanzhao's hand back with force. "The opportunity for me to help you is very precious. Please don't use it for such an insignificant little thing!"

Gu Xixi had already agreed with the old doctor before that since Mu Nanzhao chose to conceal his illness, Gu Xixi would not expose him.

At this moment, in order to prevent Mu Nanzhao from noticing anything, Gu Xixi quickly stood up and went to the cupboard to look for food.

"Stir-fried dried radish and soybean and diced meat sauce are both good with steamed buns."

Mu Nanzhao shook the note in his hand and asked, "Are you sure you don't want it?"

"What if I ask you to give me a large sum of money someday?"

Gu Xixi replied, "That depends on how much you want. It depends on the situation."

Mu Nanzhao smiled, "If this note is stolen by someone else, would you also help them once?"

Gu Xixi sneered, "Am I that kind of pedantic person?"

"He can steal, but I can also refuse to fulfill my promise."

Break the toasted bun in half, spread the diced meat sauce on it, take a bite and it will be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with an enticing salty and fragrant taste.

The crispy dried radish added a rich taste and the two of them finished it in no time.

Gu Xixi wiped her hands, took out a peace locket and stuffed it into Mu Nanzhao’s pocket.

"I borrowed your good words, but they were not used. I will return the item to its original owner."

Mu Nanzhao didn't refuse.

Their fingers accidentally touched, and Gu Xixi felt that his hands were colder than before.

This is also a sign of his physical deterioration.

She suppressed her discomfort and said with a smile, "In a few days, the frozen soil will begin to thaw, and I will go to help the Northwest Army reclaim wasteland."

Mu Nanzhao was surprised, "So early?"

Gu Xixi nodded, "Although it's still early for sowing."

"But there is so much land to be reclaimed and divided, and some of it needs to be improved with fertilizer and water."

"I have to go over and make arrangements for them."

In addition, you should also look for firefly flowers.

It is said that the firefly bone flower only grows in the bitter cold season of the northwest.

In addition to casting a wide net to find drug dealers to purchase from, there are also two other options: asking merchants from the Western Regions.

The last resort is to search for the trace in the northwest wilderness.

"I'll go with you." Mu Nanzhao regretted the moment he said it.

Gu Xixi has her own future to pursue, but he is now in a frail state and may die at any time.

Why should he be reluctant to leave? Why must he follow her?

Mu Nanzhao looked at the fire in silence.

The firelight flickered on his face, and Gu Xixi actually saw a sense of brokenness in it.

"Okay."

She smiled and patted him, "I know you, you must be using me as an excuse to find the general and your good brother General Meng again."

Mu Nanzhao looked at her and smiled. "You're right."

Indeed, his plans have never stopped.

But is it too late?

He once made up his mind that he would never give up as long as he lived.

But at this moment, when he looked at Gu Xixi's smiling face, he thought for the first time whether it was worth it.